The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-04-02

said Mr.. Lazarus, with cheerful assurance.
III assure you, Captain, the story Is common
talk in the village down yondcr, and 1t
amt the lady that minds, II all I'm told be
true"
~ hope not" said Spencer Alwyu, grave
ly. ~ mean," he added, with rising color,
'that hope there is no Idle gossip about
the young lady. AS to marrying, that is
quite out Of the question. 1t would be dis
honorable and contemplate, nnd-and, by
Jove MIR. Lazarus, / feel inclined to wiring
your neck for suggesting such thing
What do you mean by 1t, ehl"
"Hang IL all, Captain !" cried Mr.. Lazarus,
starting to his feet and dropping his cigar.
"Let us remember that we are gentlemen
and not use strong language. meant no
offense, only still think"
~ don't care what you think Mr.. Laaa-
rus" interrupted Spencer Alwyn, loftily.
"Oblige me by dropping the subject and
never alludc to 1t again. But there! beg
your pardon for my strong expressions.
Shake hands, Mr. Lazarus. And now, good
bycr'
"Wcll, he is a hot-tempered one, and no
mistake" muttorcd Mr. Lazarus, as he
groped about for his cigar under the desk
after his visitor had flung out Of the room
''Persuuson and argument won't do, that's
certain. l must try the other plan-'the
same way another way, as the cookery
books say"
n n
Three months and week had elapsed
since the foregoing co nvcrsaton, and Cap
tain Spencer Alwyn was doggedly prepared
to meet the social ruin W hich stared him in
the face He had failed to come to any ar
| rangement with Mr.. Lazarus; in fact, he
had never seen him since the interview
l.. 4 4, ,t,l
about the staff appointment which he had
hoped for, and no miracle had occurred to
relieve him from his cmbarrassmcnts. His
fatal acceptance had been presented for
payment with formalities which showed
! that Mr.. Lazarus meant mischief. The next
| knock ut tho door would probably come
from the hand which bore the inevitable
writ.
Spencer Alwyn endeavored to thrust
| from his mind as much as possible all
thought of the girl he loved. He preferred
to hug his pride, and to keep his eyes reso-
lutely fixed upon his fetish honor, which
seemed so bright and dazzling that it, no
doubt, blinded him little. But the cor
temptation of it relieved the bitterness of
his present position, and he felt that he was
| going forth into the world like q true
knight in immaculate armor, sans reprochs.
ing, he was complacently contemplating
the fact that, allowing for payments on ac-
count and deducting interest. his effects
would realize enough to pay Mr.. Lazarus a
considerable dividend upon his debt, when
the current of his idea was abruptly turned
by the sight of a well-known handwriting
upon an envelope which his servant handed
to him.
1t was a letter from Constance Manning.
The young man turned pale as he opened it,
and his hand trembled somewhat. He had
seen very little OF Constance for the last
two years, having purposcly avoided her,
perhaps, If the truth were known, because
he mstrusted his own strength of purpose
He started at perceiving that she addressed
him by his Christian name, though they
had so called one another from childhood
! Yet, after the interval that had elapsed
!; the incident caused him strange emotion
and brought the color to his cheeks again
All sentiments except those Of surprise
and alarm vanished, however, as he pro
ceeded to read. The letter was very brie
and somewhat incoherent; but it stated tha
, the writer was in some great trouble, ant
implored him to come to her assistance
without moments delay. Within an houl
Spencer Alwyn was flying oher assistance
as fast as an express train could carry him
: wild with impaticnce and full Of generous
sympathy.
Constance Manning lived on the estat,
which she had inherited, having for he
companion and adviser an amiable old lady
who was excellently qualified to discharg
her duties. Spencer Alwyn strovc in vail
to imagine the cause of her distress, or VIII
she had sent for him of all people. Hi
y first question on reaching the lodge gate
n was to ask the porter if his mistress wa
I, we'll, and he was relieved to find that ther
8 seemed no cause for anxiety upon tina
score, neither had any appa rent evil befall
= en- her. And when Constance came for
4 ward to greet him at the entrance door h
perceived no signs OF emotion in her excep
0 o rising color and an unusual brightness il
her eyes.
"It was very good Of you to come, Sper
J. GER" said the girl, as they confronted on
another in the first vacant apartment g
, knew l could rely upon YOU"
''Always!" said the young man, with sue
, involuntary earnestness that he hastcne
to say quickly: "What was the cause @
u your letter!"
= "This," said the girl, producing docr
! ! ment from her pocket.
u '.A writw exclaimed Spencer, upon ur
l. folding it.
: Eyes. A man came and handed it to m
yesterday" said tho girl, beginning to gro,
,, agitated.
L "Don't fearn said Spencer, excitedly
''There 10 nothing to be alarmed abou
Whew! A largo amount" he added
!. ''What is this! You are being sued upon
n bill !'
n "Yes; what shall l doa What shall
dos" cried the girl, bursting into hysteric,
sobs.
!, "Good heavens! why; it is my bill; tn
bill / gave to Lazarus!' cried Spencer
aghast.
+ "Yes; Mr.. Lazarus came down and sa'
me about three months ago." sobbed tn
y girl. "He explained that you were in diff
u cultics, but that il wrote my name on tn
back of slip of paper he had could hel
you. So wrote my name willingly, Spel
y Ger, willingly! and now the man told III
yesterday that you had refused paymen
and that is why he gave me that dreadfl
document"
''That scoundrel Lazarus |" cried Spence
}. Alwyn, beside himself with humiliation
p rage and indignation. "He shall suffer fc
this! Constance, knew nothing of it."
~ know, Spencer. Mr.. Lazarus told m
so," said the girl "YOu will see that he
- not bringing tho action. 1t is person
- have never heard Of"
"Pshaw! o trick of the trade A friend
!, said Spencer, unnaturally calm from pen
= up emotion. "This action against you mus
~ be stopped; it is scandalous."
at is not money that l mind, but thin
. of the shame, Spencer! The writ says
must surrender to our sovereign lady, til